Sunday’s Daytona 500 finished as one of the most memorable, inspiring, and emotional races in NASCAR history.
J.D. Gibbs, the eldest son of Joe Gibbs and the Co-Founder and former President of Joe Gibbs Racing, passed away on January 11th at the age of 49. He had a long and challenging battle with a degenerative neurological disease.
The NASCAR family used the “11th” lap of this race to honor, recognize, and remember J.D. “11” was the number he wore in college at William & Mary, as well as, the number on the car driven by Denny Hamlin, a driver he personally discovered years ago.
Remarkably, the race resulted in an incredible and divine finish with Denny Hamlin winning and Kyle Busch and Erik Jones taking second and third (all three, members of Joe Gibbs Racing)…and becoming only the second team ever to go 1-3 at the Daytona 500. After the race, Hamlin said, “This one’s for J.D!”
Not only was this race an amazing tribute to J.D. Gibbs, but Joe Gibbs and the rest of the family are using the win as another opportunity to tell people about his faith in Jesus. The family is sharing this link in honor of J.D. and to bring God glory: https://jdgibbslegacy.com.
In considering this wonderful display of honor, we can be inspired by the Gibbs family. The definition of honor is “to regard with great respect and hold in high esteem, admire, look up to, and think highly of.”
Of course, this is often done when someone passes away, but it’s also important we honor those surrounding us today. I’m sure we all know people who we admire and think highly of, whether for great accomplishments or for the small ways they significantly impact our lives.
In order to show others how much we value them, Romans 12:10 (ESV) encourages us to “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
We should likewise desire to live a life worthy to be honored. Proverbs 21:21 (ESV) tells us, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
Honor also means “to acclaim, praise, celebrate, glorify, hail, exalt, and magnify.” Ultimately, we should honor God and bring Him glory through our own “races” as we say, “This one’s for Him.”
1 Timothy 1:17 (ESV), encourages us to direct our praise: “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to bring honor and glory to You by the way I live my life. I also want to love and value people by showing them honor. Please help me do this effectively. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
